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@Josephine I know this is probably a silly question, but when my OS removes the all poly tibial component and cuts the tibia to correct the alignment of my leg, how do they keep the legs the same length? I definitely don’t want one leg to be shorter!

It's unlikely the surgeon will need to recut the tibia for the new implant. Worst case scenario is that he might have to trim the edges a tad. But rest assured that any decent surgeon will have, as a high priority, the checking of the leg for stability, length and comparison to the other leg. I can assure you this is not something they are cavalier about!

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@Josephine thanks. He told me at my last appointment that it would be necessary to “trim off the tibia “ in order to correct the valgus. I’m just a bit worried and I sure want it to be done correctly this time.

NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Well when it all comes to it, nothing we say here is going to make a scrap of difference. You're just going to have to trust him. There's really no way we can be sure it's done correctly but honestly, the chances really are that it will be.

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Wow @Josephine Thanks, I guess this will be my last post. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has worries, and I’m sure this post will be removed.

I do want to thank @Jockette , @sistersinhim and @SusieShoes for all of your kind words and help the past 2 years. I didn’t plan on knee replacements going on so long, i sure didn’t plan on a revision, I guess no one does. I’ve recommended this site to many and will probably continue to do so. I’ve just come to the end of my journey on here though. Best wishes to everyone.

SENIOR FORUM ADVISOR

@jboles I totally understand how worried you are about this revision. I feel the same way about my knee. Something is wrong with mine but I have no visual proof. I have asked myself the same thing, when revision time comes for me, how will I trust that surgeon.

Anyone who has a revision has it because something wasn’t right. It’s so hard to trust that it will not happen again. In my case there are times I’ve felt betrayed, I was led to believe partials had a quick recovery. It’s been 2 years and not only am I not recovered, but something is wrong.

We can read all about revisions fixing things, and people can tell us that the surgeon is good at his job, but the fear of another problem may always be with us. But we need to go ahead with the revision because the current problem needs to be fixed. We’ll need to have some level of trust, or at least cautious optimism, that our problem can be corrected. I wish there was a pill for that trust/cautious optimism, but it’s going to have to come from us.

I hope my next surgeon doesn’t ask me point blank if I trust him. I won’t be able to honestly say yes.

I hope you’ll continue to stay with us. We all care about you and we need each other through this difficult journey. Sometimes when we write something in a post it comes out differently than we meant it. I’ve had some of my posts misunderstood. What I meant as encouragement didn’t end up coming across that way.

Please don't go. We all care about you and what you are going through. Many of us are unhappy with our new knees and are worrying that something is wrong. Even Josephine is facing a revision next week. But, at least you two are having something positive done about your knees. Those of us that don't have any answers are left swinging and a think string and are just waiting for it to either get better or get worse. Yours is going to get better! You're not hanging in limbo anymore.

Again, please don't leave us. Many of us make mistakes while typing or it all comes out wrong. I recently learned that many people thing that an exclamation point, (!), can be taken as a strong, negative statement. Never did I ever think that. I always viewed it as a smile.

Communication can be difficult sometimes, especially written communication. We can't hear any inflection in the writers voice, nor view their facial expression. In my opinion all Jo was communicating is that no matter what any of us offer, what will be, will be. Adding that the likelihood is that all will work out for the best. And most likely it will.

Sadly, going into surgery can feel like a gamble. We hope and pray for the best and in most cases it all works out to our advantage. I'm gathering you have a lot of support here through well wishes, good thoughts and prayers. Not one of us is indifferent to you achieving the desired outcome. Especially Josephine, who made a career out of assisting in surgeries that offered others a second chance while comforting and holding the hands of those who were anxious along the way. We're ALL rooting for you and hope you'll allow us to offer support and encouragement as you move toward surgery and cheer you on through your recovery.

Prayers for your comfort, peace of mind, a successful revision and perfect healing.@jboles

member

@jboles, please don’t go! Tonight I spent my evening reading your entire journey, as I suspect I may end up going down this revision train, also.
I was so upset to read your last posting. Although, my journey down this “road” started in August of last year, at seven months - and also after trying everything my surgeon suggested- I , too, am in worse pain than I was before surgery. My last x Ray results read suspiciously like yours- talk of “effusions” and “ loose bodies” (mine in a Baker’s Cyst that was supposed to “go away” after surgery -but is still there and even larger).
But through all of this , you have honestly reported your feelings (and they are so similar to my feelings!) that I have wanted to reach through my iPhone and hug you, as I know exactly how you feel! And you have still found an ability to encourage all the rest of us who suffer. You are in my prayers tonight and I ask you, again, please keep posting! Thank you for your honesty and please don’t lose hope.
Kathy

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I’m back. I need to apologize to @Josephine after reading back I realize that I was overly emotional and took some comments not in the manner in which it was intended. Forgive me for my rash statement, please. My surgery is Monday and I’ve really been missing all of my support team on here.

SENIOR FORUM ADVISOR

This isn't your first rodeo so I don't need to tell you it's an emotional time but most of us can certainly relate. I'm happy you're back and I'll be popping over to watch your recovery journey unfold and offer some support, hugs and encouragement. I hope you have a lovely weekend. I wish you comfort and only the best on Monday. @jboles

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@Layla and @Jockette thank you both. I have been very emotional and worried. Nobody wants to have a revision but I also want to be able to walk for more than a few minutes without my leg killing me, so I’m going through with this and hoping and praying that my OS will get it straight this time. I know I’m going to need a lot of PT to relearn how to walk correctly. And I have a new grandbaby that’s due in July, and I want to be able to carry the baby around. Like I am now, my balance is so off without my cane, and with my cane I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking and carrying an infant.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

SENIOR FORUM ADVISOR

Seriously, don’t rush the PT. Find a gentle therapist who will address your swelling and who will encourage you. There are therapy places practically on every corner these days. Find one that you really like. Don’t let them tell you that you need umpteen exercises.

It’s not exercising that gets our range of motion back, it’s Time:

Time to recover.
Time for pain and swelling to settle.
Time to heal.

Our range of motion is right there all
along just waiting for that to happen so it can show itself.

In the general run of things, it doesn't need to be fought for, worked hard for or worried about. It will happen. Exercise as in strength training is counter-productive and in the early weeks does more harm than good. Normal activity is the key to success.

NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Nobody wants to have a revision but I also want to be able to walk for more than a few minutes without my leg killing me, so I’m going through with this and hoping and praying that my OS will get it straight this time.

@jboles Thank you so very, very much for your message. But please be assured that I do understand. It might give you a chuckle to know that I am now facing a revision myself because my implant has loosened. So I know what you mean when you say 'nobody wants a revision'! God bless us both!